The fifth-generation Hyundai Tucson has been spied undergoing hot weather testing in southern Europe.
While the prototype seen here is covered in heavy cladding, we can see the car’s basic silhouette and some of its styling elements.
Compared to today’s car which has a rounded overall shape punctuated by sharp creases and plenty of contrasting flame surfaces, the next-generation Tucson looks to have a squarer profile. The wrap-around bonnet is flatter and rectangular in form, and is married to a more upright front fascia.
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The current Tucson has multiple driving light pods integrated into a deep and wide grille, but the new model will have a different design. We can’t tell what yet, but the opening in the disguise suggests the function part of the grille will sit half way down the fascia.
There’s a headlight unit poking through in the lower portion of the disguise indicating the new Tucson will once again have a split headlight treatment.
Along the side, we can see the car now has round wheel arches, and an interesting wing mirror design. There’s also a sharp visor-like window design with blacked out A-pillars, similar to the look sported by the larger Santa Fe.
The tailgate seems to be less upright than on the larger SUV, though. With all the cladding attached to the boot, we can’t tell if the Tucson inherits the Santa Fe’s controversial tail-light treatment (below).
Reports indicate the interior will be graced by Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment system, which is built on the Android Automotive operating system, giving it built in access to Google Maps, the search giant’s voice recognition assistant, and the company’s app store.
It’s unclear what drivetrains the new Tucson will be available with, but currently the local range is sold with a 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol in front-wheel drive, and a 132kW/264Nm 1.6-litre hybrid in front- or all-wheel drive.
With the car’s most recent update, Hyundai Australia dropped the 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo from the local range. The closely related Kia Sportage is also available with a 137kW/416Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.
The Tucson is one of Hyundai’s most popular models, to the end of July, the company has sold 12,186 Tucsons in Australia, trailing only the smaller Kona (13,144), and almost doubling the car in third, the i30 sedan and hatch(6472).